Monday, March 12, 2012

cherry blossoms in tokyo

excuse while i dream ahead! the weather has been torturous. its no longer full on winter. and ever so frequently, it would give be a hint of hope that its finally spring and proceed to snow on me. such a tease!!

muu says "picnic season = more distracted people eating at closer proximity!"

one thing im really looking forward to this spring is cherry blossoms - the classic japanese celebration of packing a lush picnic basket and chilling out under dreamy blush pinkness. i can't wait. 

here is a little sakura guide for tokyo:: 

1. yoyogi park :: its extremely popular with large groups and can get quite busy on weekends. but the hustle and bustle of merrymakers is part of the fun. last year, we found ourselves so close to our neighbours we were literally on their laps! :) but all in good fun. 


2. chidorigafuchi :: in kitanomaru park in the NW corner of the royal palace. we missed out this one last year and its apparantly one of the most dramatic sakura displays in town!

3. chinzan-so :: if you're in town too early for the blossoms, head here as they have 19 different varieties so the chances of you catching something in bloom is higher. a few years ago, we found ourselves in the same predicament as tourist and found ONE single tree in bloom in ueno park! i was crazy happy!! :)



4. rikugien :: this one is a landscaped japanese garden with illumination in the evenings. 

5. meguro river :: this river is lined with 830 somei yoshino trees and illuminated by lanterns in the evening. its so stunning for a post dinner stroll. 



6. ichigaya - yotsuya :: lining the outer moat of the imperial palace, this strip is very popular with younger groups (hence a little rowdier) but its round the corner from home so we frequently visited this spot last year.


7. aoyama cemetary :: its a weird one to share. but this is our secret hideout. we love this one as its around the corner from daniel's work place, hence a great place for lunch and its so serene, quiet and beautiful. i don't find it spooky at all and actually really peaceful. i highly recommend this one for non-squeamish cherry blossomers! 

happy monday, loves...

xx

7 comments:

  1. LOVE cherry blossoms! In fact when we bought our house it was winter. We moved in Spring, and to my DELIGHT, the SOLE tree in our backyard was.... CHERRY BLOSSOMS, blooming beautifully pink. So each spring I can have my own spring blossom picnic! :)

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  2. im so jealous! i need to move back to australia and find an awesome house with a surprise like that! :)

    yayyy for the news again!

    xx

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  3. If only! I wish I could be in Japan to view the cherry blossoms! I think they are gorgeous, gorgeous flowers. Luckily there are half a dozen up and down my road, including a little one in our front garden. Although people might think us very odd if we were to set up a little picnic mat under it and gaze up at the flowers! Hahahaha...

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    1. you should do it!! :) my brother lives in oxford and had a cherry blossom party despite receiving odd stares last year! :) i don't know if its because he set up his picnic or because he set it up right at a busy junction!!! :)

      xx

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    2. Hahahah that is so cute!

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  4. Man! I wonder if we can get away for cherry blossom season this year. When's it happening in Tokyo?

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    1. apparantly late march (30) but it has been cold so maybe a few more days like early april!? :) i see some starting to bloom already!!

      very very pretty!!

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